Fri. Aug. 24 -- Rooted organist Larry Goldings teams with pedal-steel star Rich Hinman and friends. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $15; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri. Aug. 24 -- Something different from the improvisin' femme vocal quartet Fish to Birds. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Fri. Aug. 24 -- Esteemed bassist Eric Revis (Branford Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Russell Gunn) leads his own damn ensemble. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Aug. 25 -- Multi-instrumentalist (dig her on harp & flute) and vocalist Maia celebrates her birthday with South L.A.'s best Afro-jazz realizers. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Aug. 25 -- Grab the picnic basket for a family outjam (in more ways than one) at a charming open-air mini-amphitheater behind a private home. Consider Uzu Uzu, featuring vocal extender Kaoru Mansour, percussionist Brad Dutz, guitarist Tom McNalley and bassist Zephyr Avalon. Then reconsider the Brad Dutz 4tet, staffed with oboeist Paul Sherman, bass clarinetist Jim Sullivan and cellist Chris Votek. Texture, conception and chamber music without the chamber or the preconceptions. At the Folly Bowl, 1601 E. Loma Alta Dr., Altadena 91001; 7pm; $10; bring blanket & cushion.
Sun. Aug. 26 -- Hold on for a mass avant concentration with two distinguished trios: the trumpet-guitar-drums alignment of John Fumo, G.E. Stinson & Brian Christopherson, and the winds-trumpet-bass configuration of Vinny Golia, Sarah Belle Reid & Steuart Liebig. Then they all jam together. Gonna be big. At Coaxial Arts Foundation, 1815 S. Main St., downtown 90015; 8pm; cheap; www.coaxialarts.com.
Sun. Aug. 26 -- You won't find a bassist who probes the pocket more perfectly than Darek Oles, here leading a trio with pianist Kuba and drummer Tina Raymond. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $15; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Wed. Aug. 29 -- Hot, cool & crisp saxist David Binney continues his residency. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $15; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
LATE ADD. Wed. Aug. 29 -- Norwegian acoustic trio metal from Suit; the avant vocal-cello-tuba trio of Anna Homler, Michael Intriere & William Roper; the acoustic guitar duo of Daniel Meyer & Adam Zuckerman. Strong bill. At Coaxial Arts Foundation, 1815 S. Main St., downtown 90015; 9pm; $7; www.coaxialarts.com.
Thurs. Aug. 30 -- "Alec Santamaria and the Nietzsche Players present an evening of proverbs by Lao Tzu, poems by Rumi, and original music for strings and percussion." Ain't you glad you live in L.A.? At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Aug. 30 -- Stuart Smith's Heaven & Earth keep stomping out the hard rock, '70s style. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 8pm; $20; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.